Social Practice Labs: Season of the Sower

A lifelong Pasadena resident, Octavia E. Butler’s imprint on Los Angeles is undeniable and the city is a scorched backdrop for Parable of the Sower. In light of the devastating LA fires in January, neo fascism around the world, ongoing genocides, and climate catastrophes, there is palpable urgency to learn from each other and in dialogue with Butler’s cautionary tales. Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents are two powerful texts left to us by Butler and we’re excited to collaborate with members of the Los Angeles arts and culture ecosystem and our Collective members for this first cycle of the Social Practice Labs.

Registration is currently open for Module 1. Registration costs include: a modest honorarium for our facilitator, refreshments during the book club, and a physical copy of our 100+ page workbook designed specifically for this book club

Join us for 5 consecutive Mondays starting March 31 from 6:30 to 8:00pm PST for a Parable of the Sower book club facilitated by Collective artist, Level Ground board member, and Butler scholar Dr. Tamisha Tyler. The group will be hybrid so you can join IRL at the Feminist Center for Creative Work in Glendale or virtually via Zoom.

• Book club dates: March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28
• Reading schedule and other details will be provided upon registration
• Participants in Module 1 are strongly encouraged to join Modules 2 & 3 (see details below)
• Please email [email protected] with any questions

Level Ground’s Social Practice Labs are artist-led readings, seminars, and workshops inspired by revolutionary texts that lead us towards cultural and political change. The program is best suited to support artists, organizers, and cultural workers in interrogating our socio-political landscape and building pathways towards movement-inspired art.

Level Ground Collective members will lead participants on three curated field trips to build context around themes in the novel and Butler’s legacy hyper locally. Field trips we’re dreaming of are: a visit to the Butler archives at the Huntington Library, time with Metabolic Studios to explore ecological concerns, and a walking tour of Pasadena Black history.

• Registration will open in April

A Level Ground Collective artist will lead a Speculative Futures seminar series that invites participants to explore their visions for the future, engage in power mapping, and speculative object-making for a dystopian world. Module 3 will culminate in a public “Arrival Day” offering and celebration in September with our partners at The Center for Restorative Justice, Feminist Center for Creative Work, and others.

• Registration will open in June

• Stay tuned for details!

Host or Publisher Level Ground